The Garda leading the investigation into the murder of Keane Mulready-Woods says anyone taking recreational drugs is fuelling gangland murder.
The 17-year-old was murdered as part of the ongoing gang feud in Drogheda, Co Louth.
Garda Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan told said the brutal murder should be a reality check for everyone.
He said anyone who takes illegal drugs is indirectly funding gangland crime.
"Ireland has a pretty well-educated workforce and I think people realise where cocaine comes from," he said. "They realise the pitfalls with it.
"I think maybe there will be a reality check when they see what unfortunately has happened to Keane.
"They're providing profits for these people who are using their monies to buy guns, to shoot people, to contract out killings to people.
"That's what they're financing, and they have to be mindful of that."
"They mightn't like it - they mightn't like the fact that people will tell them 'you are contributing to murder, you're contributing to society being dragged apart.'
The 17-year-old was last seen in Drogheda by his family at around 6 pm on Sunday.
Investigating Gardaí are seeking the public's help in tracing the movements of a blue Volvo V40 SE LUX 1.4 diesel car, which they are trying to trace.
This Volvo had a registration of 161 D 48646 and was stolen in the Sandymount area of Dublin on December 15th.
At the time it was found, the car had false registration plates 141 MO 1925.
